Aetherstorm Hand Crossbow

This intricately crafted hand crossbow features a rotating, rune-inscribed cylinder that harnesses the raw energies of the elemental planes. As you draw back the string, the crossbow hums with the potential of earth-shattering power, allowing the wielder to unleash bolts of elemental fury with each shot.

Elemental Switch

As a bonus action, you can rotate the cylinder to select one of the following elements. The element will last until you change it again.

• Fire: Bolts deal an additional 1d6 fire damage.
• Cold: Bolts deal an additional 1d6 cold damage.
• Lightning: Bolts deal an additional 1d6 lightning damage.
• Acid: Bolts deal an additional 1d6 acid damage.

Elemental Burst (Once per Short Rest)

Once per short rest, when you hit a creature with this weapon, you can unleash a burst of elemental energy. The burst affects all creatures within 10 feet of the target, causing them to make a saving throw based on the element. On a failed save, the creatures take 2d6 damage of the chosen element; on a successful save, they take half damage.

• Fire (Dexterity Save): 2d6 fire damage. Flammable objects ignite.
• Cold (Constitution Save): 2d6 cold damage. Target’s speed is reduced by 10 feet until the end of its next turn.
• Lightning (Dexterity Save): 2d6 lightning damage. Metal objects spark, imposing disadvantage on the target's next attack roll.
• Acid (Dexterity Save): 2d6 acid damage. Nonmagical armor or shields are corroded, reducing AC by 1 until repaired.

Elemental Overload (Once per Long Rest)

As an action, you can fire a powerful bolt infused with overwhelming elemental energy. This shot causes a massive elemental explosion at the point of impact. The effect depends on the active element at the time:

• Fire: A 20-foot radius explosion dealing 6d8 fire damage (Dexterity saving throw for half damage).
• Cold: A 20-foot radius explosion dealing 6d8 cold damage (Constitution saving throw for half damage). 
• Lightning: A 20-foot radius explosion dealing 6d8 lightning damage (Dexterity saving throw for half damage). 
• Acid: A 20-foot radius explosion dealing 6d8 acid damage (Dexterity saving throw for half damage). 

Additional Features:

• Ammunition: The crossbow automatically generates elemental bolts when no physical ammunition is loaded, though it still requires a bonus action to reload.
• Quickdraw: On initiative rolls, you may draw and fire the crossbow as part of the same action in the first round of combat, allowing you to make one attack with it on your first turn as a bonus action.

Proficiency with a Hand Crossbow allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it.

Notes: Bonus: Magic, Damage, Combat, Ammunition, Light, Loading, Range, Vex